Contributed by Steven Hantos
Let me take you on a journey… back 104 years ago… to the 23rd February nineteen hundred and Five…
The speed limit in Sydney CBD is 8 miles per hour and in Parramatta it’s only 6 miles per hour.One in every two people in Australia owns a horse.
Einstein is publishing his theories.Banjo Paterson (back from the Boer War) is Editor of The Evening News.Henry Lawson is in Darlinghurst Gaol for drunkenness and non payment of maintenance.There are 3 licensed motor cabs in Sydney and the streets are lit by electric light, installed less than 6 months ago.George Reid is the Prime Minister of Australia but will soon be replaced by Alfred Deakin.It’s only two years after the Wright Bros made their first flight
Unbeknown to Henry, Banjo and Einstein, in a small office in downtown Chicago, a young Attorney, Paul P Harris, is meeting with three business associates.From this pioneering group of likeminded friends, the world’s first service organisation would be born. Although early meetings were more about fellowship than “bettering the world” it wasn’t long before the founders discovered a more profound purpose for their club. In 1907 a simple donation of a horse to a local Doctor became Rotary’s first act of Community Service. Rotary’s second humanitarian project also relieved the pain and suffering of thousands of Chicago locals, the project was the construction of a public toilet!
Rotary captured the imagination of businessmen across the world and by 1921 it had expanded to six continents and the group was renamed Rotary International.Today Rotary is 104 years old. Few other organisations have reached this landmark achievement. We have survived over a century of change, but Rotarians have always been up to the challenge. Despite two world wars, uncertain economies and unpredictable politics, Rotarians have been united by the Rotary motto of Service Above Self. Rotary is unique in that it has overcome the boundaries of race, religion and politics to become truly global. In 104 years, Rotary has gone from a small organisation which aimed to increase friendly spirit, to a group which now is known around the world for its service to all of mankind.
One of the major achievements of Rotary is The Rotary Foundation which was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph. The foundation started as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than $245 million contributed in 2007-08. In 1928, when the endowment fund had grown to more than US$5,000, the fund became a distinct entity within Rotary International. Five Trustees, including Klumph, were appointed to "invest, manage, and administer all of its property. . . as a single trust, for the furtherance of the purposes of RI." After Rotary founder Paul P. Harris died in 1947, contributions began pouring into Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created for the purpose of building the Foundation. Since that first $26.50 donation in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than $2 billion US.
The largest project of the Foundation is PolioPlus which celebrates it’s 24th Anniversary this year. In 1985, Rotary launched the PolioPlus program with a pledge of $120 Million US. Once the program is completed, money donated will have reached close to $550 million US and nearly 2 billion children will have been spared from the cruel and sometimes fatal effects of Polio. To date, Polio cases have dropped by 99.8 percent.
Another major project of the foundation is the Ambassadorial Scholarships program. The scholarships, which are designed to further international understanding and goodwill, provide for study abroad for one year in one of the 162 countries and 35 geographical regions where Rotary clubs are located. Some 1,200 scholarships will be available from clubs worldwide. During their studies abroad, Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars act as “ambassadors of goodwill.” Through appearances before Rotary clubs, schools, civic organizations, and other forums, the scholars represent their homelands and work to further international understanding.
The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships Program is the world’s largest privately sponsored international scholarship program. Some US $320 million has been spent on 30,000 international scholarships since the program began in 1947.
I would like to quote the inspirational words of past International President, Glenn Estess’ from one of his addresses to Rotarians…
“Over a century ago, Paul Harris took the first steps on a journey of service. As we enter our second century of service, we must continue to evolve and grow as an organization. I encourage all Rotarians to raise the bar and re-invent the Rotary wheel
Steven Hantos
Foundation Director 2008-2009
Rotary Club of Epping